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"Yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will grant her justice, so
that she may not wear me out by continually coming."
In my studies and ministry, I am constantly drawn to Jesus'
parable of the unjust judge, which Jesus uses to reveal much about both the best
and worst the world has to offer. The widow is much more than a symbol of
persistence and prayer: She is a timeless figure who lives today much the same
as she lived in ancient times, in the forgotten corners of the world. She is the
homeless youth, the single mother, the immigrant refugee. One of those whom we
walk by and judge, or don't see at all — the discarded ones. We are just like
the judge; we are annoyed by her. She does nothing for us. We easily dismiss her
requests as none of our concern.
Like the judge, we wish she would just go away. Yet she does
not — she remains, and she speaks to us. Her voice persistently and patiently
breaks through the barriers we have so carefully set in place, like a tiny blade
of grass bursting through perfectly laid concrete. She cries out for justice,
refusing to be ignored. She will not be silenced. So begrudgingly, we consider
giving in. And that is when it happens: Suddenly this one who was nothing, this
one whom we had chosen to dismiss, makes us hear it. We hear the voice of God
persistently seeking justice for the widow and all those for whom she speaks.
God resides in all God's children, and God's love and good justice can and will
prevail.
Offering prayer: Loving God, help us to hear your call
in the voice4 of the widow and to seek justice for all your children. Let us
know that you are with us and that your love and persistence will never end.
Amen.
Offering focus: Your offerings support the Women of
the ELCA scholarships program.
Christee Manisto, mother of two, is a student at the
Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago and a 2007 Women of the ELCA scholarship
recipient.
Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) Bible,
copyright © 1989 by the Division of Christian Education
of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA, and are used by permission. All rights reserved.
 Copyright ©
2007 Women of the ELCA. All rights reserved.
May be reproduced for use in congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America provided the copyright information above appears on every copy with
these words: Used with permission.
For all other purposes
contact Women of the ELCA.
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